NEW DELHI: India on Monday raised concerns about the safety of minorities and recent attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties in Bangladesh.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri met his counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin in Dhaka and reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Misri, during his Bangladesh visit, held multiple high-profile which included Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus and the Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md Touhid Hossain.
“I underlined today, India’s desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh authorities. At the same time, we also had the opportunity to discuss certain developments and issues, and I conveyed our concern, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties,” Misri said during a press briefing.
Highlighting the enduring people-centric nature of India-Bangladesh relations, Misri remarked, “We have always seen in the past and continue to see in the future this relationship as people-oriented, one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force.”
Reflecting on the interactions between the two nations, Misri expressed gratitude to Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Mohd. Jashimuddin for facilitating comprehensive discussions. He added, “Thanks to Bangladesh Foreign Secretary colleague His Excellency Mohd. Jashimuddin for discussions and consultations on the entire gamut of issues in the extremely important bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh.”
Misri also recalled key developments since the political transition in Bangladesh in August. “Since the political changes in August this year, there has of course been contact between our leaderships. The Prime Minister was the first leader to greet the Chief Advisor on his assumption of office. The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation after that, and the Chief Advisor also accepted the Prime Minister’s invitation to speak at the third Voice of the Global South Summit that was held in August this year,” he noted.
He elaborated on subsequent engagements, saying, “Since then, the External Affairs Ministers and the Foreign Affairs Advisor have been in touch. They met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September this year. And my visit follows those interactions and is the first Foreign Secretary-level structured engagement between the two sides following those developments.”
During the discussions, key areas of collaboration, such as trade, connectivity, energy, and cultural cooperation, were reviewed, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to fostering a constructive and mutually beneficial partnership. Misri described the talks as “frank, candid, and constructive,” stressing India’s aspiration for a positive relationship with Bangladesh.
“This visit marked the first structured engagement at the Foreign Secretary level following these developments,” he added, stressing the significance of ongoing bilateral cooperation.
In an official press release, the Ministry of External Affairs provided a detailed overview of the visit:
- Foreign Secretary of India, Shri Vikram Misri, visited Dhaka on an official visit today. He called on the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Foreign Affairs Adviser, H.E. Md. Touhid Hossain. He also held Foreign Office Consultations with the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Jashim Uddin.
- During these meetings, Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. He reiterated India’s willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns and interests.
- Foreign Secretary emphasized that people are the main stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and noted that India’s development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in the areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh.
- Foreign Secretary also discussed certain recent developments and issues and conveyed India’s concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. He also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties.
- During the Foreign Office Consultations, both sides held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues covering political and security matters, border management, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, development cooperation, consular, cultural and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional and multilateral issues, and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework.
- Foreign Secretary’s visit will help in sustaining bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh with a view to addressing concerns as well as advancing the substantive issues in the relationship.